AN APPLICATION for a change of use and extension to a building in Prestwick has been refused due to parking issues.

The proposal site, located at St Quivox Road, Prestwick, holds a large, vacant, single storey building which was previously used for the sale and repair of motor vehicles.

The building is set back from the adjacent public footpath, and is separated from the footpath by a narrow strip of hard-standing which extends across the frontage of the building, however, parking can be seen as difficult.

Speaking at the Planning panel last week, Kerry McGuire agent to the applicant, believed that this application would be an investment for the town.

She said: “The site is located in Prestwick and the site of the application will bring a vacant building back into economic use.

“It is recognised that there has been six objections to this application.

“The planning officer has concluded that the proposal would not have a detrimental effect on residential or visual amenities.

“The proposal utilises an existing building and will significantly improve the frontage of this building.

“There is local business support for this proposal and a number of local businesses tried to summit letters of support to this application.”

One objection from a member of the public who lives across from the proposal application site was accounted for at the meeting.

Speaking on her behalf, her son, Ian Jamieson, said: “My mother stays directly across from the area that has been applied for and it is a very very busy junction and a busy street.

“There are people parking all over the place and parking illegally on the double yellow lines.

“The amount of traffic that pass the area is enormous and there is no parking spaces at all for all these people. It is not acceptable and in terms of public safety, there are concerns.

Ayrshire Roads Alliance (ARA) had expressed concern in relation to the development proposal due to the lack of adequate parking proposed so as to service the development in an appropriate manner, and the resultant roads implications of the inadequate parking provisions.

Graham Senior, acting supervisory engineer for ARA, added: “The major concern is the parking in the area.

“I can see that there is parking but there are doorways in front of the parking spaces.

Councillor Bill Grant said: “We seem to be in an area where there is not a lot of parking.

“As much as I agree with the application, we need to sort out this issue.”

Councillor Ian Cavana added: “It is a brilliant idea but the problem I have is with the parking.

The application as it stands, was refused, on the grounds of the lack of sufficient and adequate parking within the site boundaries, which would result in increased demand for on-street parking and congestion in the locality, which would; impede the free flow of traffic within public road limits, and restrict pedestrian movement at this location due to a narrowing of the public footpath.